Meranti wood is a hardwood that is derived from the tropical Shorea tree species. There are generally five groups of meranti timber that are based on the color of the wood – Dark red meranti , light red meranti, yellow meranti, white meranti, as well as balau. Meranti is a soft to little firm hardwood timber. It is not prone to deforming or twisting and is quite resistant to dents. It is very stable and can be used for a wide range of applications.
Caring for Meranti Wood
Meranti wood is most suitable to be used externally. It can be used as an external timber without any treatment. The wood should be decorated and coated with the appropriate product to provide protection for maintaining its appearance. This should be done even when using the wood internally. This is because even the subtlest changes in the temperature or humidity will have an effect on the wood. This is dependent on the application or purpose of the wood as well as the desired appearance of the user.
A recoating and proper care and maintenance program is to be adhered to for extending the life of an exterior wood. Wood won’t be able to rot if it is kept dry. Proper coatings and decoration will be able to provide this protection to the wood. There are a number of durable timbers that are quite often left to the natural weather and tend to last for multiple years even untreated or uncoated. Any movement and visual changes can occur but this will sometimes be the desired effect.
What are the features of Dark red meranti?
Color
Dark red meranti will be normally in a dark red or purple brown shade, with a few white resin streaks present in it.
Texture of wood
It tends to have a coarse texture as well as a low natural luster. Grains may be straight or interlinked.
Resistance to decays
It is moderately-durable or can even be non-durable in relation to resistance to rots and decays, however, it may be susceptible to insect attack.
End grain
It has large to very large pores present in no particular arrangement, some single and radial multiples of 2-3; tyloses that are sometimes present; winged, as well as banded with embedded resin canals; having narrow to medium rays with spacing normal.
Workability
It is generally quite easy to work with even though interlinked grains can lead to some problems during planning. Dark Red Meranti can have extremely poor steam-bending properties. Some kinds may even have a slight blunting effect on the tools as a result of small levels of silica that are present in the wood. It will glue, stain, and finish well. It has no specific odor.
Causing allergies
According to research, Meranti wood has caused eye, throat, as well as skin irritation.
Price and availability
Meranti is widely harvested and is available all over the world. It is moderately priced even though it is imported.
Common Uses of Meranti
It is used in Plywood, general construction, veneer, concrete forms, interior furniture, and boatbuilding.
Dark Red Meranti is sometimes also called Red Lauan. The wood in the Shorea genus is quite commonly used in a few regions of southeast Asia. There are different varieties between the different species. Each having different working properties, mechanical strength values as well as appearances. Meranti is a wood of commercial importance all over the world. As a veneer, it will become plywood, used in plywood paneling, cabinets, as well as hollow-core doors. In the lumber form, meranti is used in light structural framing, moldings, and even low-cost furniture.